Confronting the International Asbestos-Cement Industry Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH The Environmental Consultancy © 2012 The Environmental Consultancy. All rights reserved. May be used with attribution to Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH, The Environmental Consultancy,

This presentation was given at the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization conference on March 31, 2012 in Manhattan Beach, California. It is provided here for use by those who are willing to accept the challenge to put the world-wide asbestos-cement industry out of business. No restrictions are placed on its use other than to refrain from alteration of the content in a way that would misrepresent the intent of the presentation. Attribution to Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH, The Environmental Consultancy, is requested. The text in the Notes panel below each slide in Normal view are my explanation of the content. I would appreciate any feedback on your use of this presentation and any results achieved therefrom. My contact information is at the end of the program. Andy Oberta

Where does asbestos fiber come from? More than 90% of the world production of chrysotile is used in the manufacture of chrysotile-cement, in the form of pipes, sheets and shingles -- Chrysotile Institute World Mine Production and Reserves: 2011 Production, tonsReserves Russia1,000,000Large China400,000Large Brazil270,000Moderate Kazakhstan210,000Large Canada100,000Large Other countries20,000Moderate World total (rounded)2,000,000200,000,000 Source: U.S. G.S. Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2012

Where is asbestos fiber used? Recent US consumption is minimal  2011 consumption: 1100 tons (imported)  Roofing - 60% ; Chloralkali - 35%; Other - 5% Asbestos cement used for roofing, siding and pipes

Where is asbestos fiber used? 2010 consumption in metric tons China - 613,760 India - 426,363 Russia - 263,037 Brazil - 139,153 Indonesia - 111,848 Developing countries are target markets Even industrialized countries may lack a health and environmental protection infrastructure for asbestos hazards

Hazards of producing the fiber Mining, milling, transportation

Hazards of manufacturing the products

“Representatives of the world's major chrysotile exporting mines signed an agreement whereby they committed to supply chrysotile fibre only to those companies that demonstrate compliance with national health and safety regulations.” -- The Chrysotile Institute Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Hazards of manufacturing the products Source: OEHNI Times.. Issue 3.. Oct - Dec 2010

Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use” Myth: Asbestos-cement cannot be crumbled to powder by hand pressure- it is non-friable Fact: Asbestos-cement can become friable when damaged

Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use” Myth: Asbestos fibers are locked in the cement matrix and cannot be released from the surface Fact: Fibers are released through normal weathering processes J. Dyczek J. Millette L. Dwyer

Myth: Asbestos-cement products present no exposure hazard to building occupants Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use” Fact: Damage and vibration can expose building occupants to asbestos hazards

Myth: Asbestos-cement pipes cause no health or environmental hazard Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use” Fact: Chrysotile and crocidolite fibers are released when pipes are dug up, broken and crushed J. Millette

Myth: Paint and encapsulants offer permanent protection against asbestos fiber release Myths and Facts of “Controlled Use” Fact: Paint and encapsulants deteriorate and take asbestos fibers with them when they peel off PLM SEM Fiberquant

Confronting the Problem of Installed Products Outreach and education to create awareness of hazards Example: roof removal from shelters in Indonesia, April 2011 Dave Hodgkin, Benchmark Consulting, Indonesia Two-day community workshop on issues and methods Removal demonstration at two shelters by facilitators Removals at 50 shelters by community participants Enforce proper work practices through regulations, contracts and other mechanisms ASTM E2394 Standard Practice for Maintenance, Renovation and Repair of Installed Asbestos Cement Products ( United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia publications

Confronting the Problem of New Products Discourage consumption by Creating awareness of hazards through outreach and education Implementing regulatory and economic incentives and penalties Supporting the development and economic use of products with alternative fibers Reduce availability by – Bans on importing and using asbestos fiber – Disrupting supplies of cement

Disrupting supplies of cement Every ton of asbestos fiber requires several tons of cement to make asbestos-cement products Suppliers of cement contribute to the manufacture of a hazardous product Suppliers of cement may be participating in a criminal enterprise +=

Disrupting supplies of cement Identify the suppliers of cement to the asbestos- cement industry in each country Domestic producers Importers Use moral persuasion and public exposure to discourage them from supplying the asbestos- cement market Identify target audiences and media resources Labor unions, investors, financial institutions Traditional and social media

Disrupting supplies of cement Use economic penalties and incentives to reduce economic advantages of asbestos-cement Higher tariffs on imported cement, higher taxes on domestic production, for use with asbestos fiber Subsidies on cement used with alternative fibers Use litigation and liability to put pressure on cement companies Name cement companies as defendants in asbestos litigation Advise insurance carriers of their potential risk Inform cement companies of threat of civil and criminal penalties

Technical measures not enough Credible technical information essential to counter arguments that asbestos-cement products are not hazardous – Industrial hygiene studies of fiber release and exposure – Medical studies of health effects from exposure – Practical measures for controlling exposure Elimination of asbestos-cement products requires institutional actions – economic, financial and political -- by advocates and activists

Biographical summary of Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH BS Aeronautical Engineering and Master of Public Health degrees Certified in Comprehensive Practice by American Board of Industrial Hygiene Over thirty years experience in asbestos consulting Chairman of Task Group on Asbestos Management for ASTM International Author of ASTM Manual on Asbestos Control Presentations at seven international asbestos conferences from 2000 to 2012 Mr. Oberta will organize a technical session for any conference which addresses advocacy measures to confront and eventually eliminate the asbestos-cement industry. For his contributions he will expect reimbursement of travel and other direct expenses. Andrew F. Oberta, MPH, CIH The Environmental Consultancy 900 Route 620 South, Suite C101, M/S 101 Austin, TX United States (512)